Review: Wanderlust by Skye Warren (ARC)

Book: Wanderlust

Author: Skye Warren

Dark Erotic Romance
Expected Release Date: April 15, 2013

ACR provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb:

Can love come from pain?

Evie always dreamed of seeing the world, but her first night at a motel turns into a nightmare. Hunter is a rugged trucker willing to do anything to keep her—including kidnapping. As they cross the country in his rig, Evie plots her escape, but she may find what she’s been looking for right beside her.

Wanderlust is a dark erotic novel which explores dubious consent, captivity, and power play. Please do not read this if you’re uncomfortable with the subject matter or under 18 years of age.

This story was definitely dark, full of conflicting emotions and very seductive. And by 'seductive' I mean it was HOT and I think I need to replace the batteries in my ... am I over-sharing? Okay, I'll stop there. If you enjoy dubious consent fantasies, then this story will get your rocks off. Trust me.  

Evie has led a sheltered life and has finally gathered the courage to venture out into the world and explore. On her very first night of independence she meets Hunter, a tall, dark and mysterious stranger, and gets caught in his trap. Then major hotness ensues, though it's a forbidden type of hotness where you're not sure whether you're a bad person for enjoying it. But it's still hot and maybe that much hotter because you kind of question your sanity while reaching for your vibrator. Really, the sexual chemistry between Hunter and Evie is palpable and the way that Skye Warren uses the written word to paint the picture of an amazingly erotic experience that was also deeply emotional and conflicted is spectacular. It left me somewhat conflicted, hence the questioning of sanity while buzzing away. 

There was also a psychological component to this story that was very engaging. Both Evie and Hunter have major emotional baggage and go through a lot of growth and self discovery as their unconventional relationship develops. We get to witness Evie struggle with the fact that she enjoys her predicament with Hunter, that she's coming to care for him, and her knowledge that what he is doing to her is wrong. And we get to see into Hunter's personal pain and inner conflict, though it is filtered through Evie's perception and speculation since the book is narrated by Evie. He's definitely not your regular one-dimentional character... he has his own rules of ethics that he follows that are a somewhat of a contradiction to his disregard of the law and the way he takes Evie. And there are dark things in his past that make us question whether he's the bad guy or the victim who now has some screws loose in his head. And that makes him even scarier in some ways and sexier in others.

There's a lot that happens in between, but I'm not going to tell you because I don't want to give anything away. You have to read the book to find out!

Skye Warren tells the story of two broken people who come together under questionable circumstances and help heal each other. There is lots of pain and conflict and the journey they take together is far from romantic, yet very emotional. It's an engaging story with layers that add depth and mystery and takes us on a whirlpool of emotional highs and very low lows. Whenever I started to think that things were going to turn out one way something would happen to thwart my assumptions. I loved the story; I loved that it made me feel, that it turned me on, turned me off, made me pause and think, twisted my stomach into knots, and, at times, believe it or not gave me some warm fuzzies that were well balanced by the realism of the protagonists' struggles and my empathy for them. Also, a detail that I really enjoyed was that Skye included some myths and side stories that tied into the main story perfectly and drew some well placed parallels. I love details like that. They just make me happy.

Beware that this is not a light book, the emotional baggage is heavy and can be hard to deal with for some people. It's not for the faint of heart. But if you enjoy well-written dark fantasies and conflict and depth to your stories then I would definitely recommend Wanderlust. And excuse me while I go lose myself in another Skye Warren story.

As an aside - this was an ARC review, which means that some edits were still in progress and so I did not mention any minor issues I came across, because they are most likely not going to exist when you will be reading this book.

Purchase Link

amazon

Review: Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice by Michelle M. Pillow

Couldn't Finish It...

Book: Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice

Author: Michelle M. Pillow

Historical Romance

Blurb: 

"She found herself unimpressed with him, having expected more of the legendary man--Brant. Lord Blackwell. Brant the Gladiator. Brant the Vigorous. Brant the Flame. Brant the Viking Hero. Della snorted in unladylike disgust. More like, Brant the Thorn in my Arse!"



Lady Della the Cold-Hearted


Lady Della despises all things Viking. They may rule the land, but they will never rule her. Unfortunately, her father doesn't seem to agree. To prove his continued allegiance to the Viking king, the Ealdorman of Strathfeld betroths his only daughter to a respected Viking Lord--a warrior who's legendary prowess isn't reserved for the battlefield. Fighting the newfound craving in her body and the unwelcome fire in her heart, Della must choose between everything she knows to be true and the one thing she never expected...



Lord Brant of Blackwell, the Fiery One


Lord Blackwell is as fiery on the battlefield as he is in his passions. He has fought valiantly for King Guthrum and has earned the respect of the nobles. When his overlord offers the hand of his beautiful daughter and the right to inherit his lands, Blackwell can hardly refuse. However, he soon discovers that his noble bride is anything but the meek and mild woman he envisioned for his wife. One minute she's kissing him back, the next she's swearing to do whatever it takes to dissuaded him from their marriage. Can his lust for life and his new bride melt the ice that surrounds her heart? Or will Lady Della the Cold be this warrior's undoing?



Length: Long Novel


Heat Level: Very Sensual


This novel contains adult content. Must
 be 18 years or older to read.

This book has been the big elephant on my Goodreads 'Currently Reading' list, because the more accurate way to describe what I was doing with this book was avoiding, and not reading. I got about halfway through it and I just can't see the finish line. I just can't finish it. I really, really wanted to like it and I really, really wanted to finish it, but, alas, I cannot and I have to just face the fact that it won't happen. Every time I come back to it, I just get this really anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach and have to put it down again. I don't know if I can write a fair review if I haven't finished the book. Then again, the fact that I can't get to the end might speak for itself.

When I first picked up the book I thought it was going to be a fun historical romance with a frustrating heroine who annoys the big bad Viking and gets foiled in her attempts at undermining him by her own desires and his prowess. I expected there to be some conflict. I expected there to be repercussions for some of the things that the heroine did. She wasn't exactly trying to be endearing and some of the things she said and did were not very well thought out. However, I felt that the punishments did not fit the crimes. I got through two such punishments, and they were both brutal and possibly emotionally damaging. Honestly, after the first one, I wasn't sure how the heroine was ever going to forgive the hero, especially considering her personal history and the fact that she said she wouldn't ever forgive him. The second punishment was publicly humiliating, physically painful, and hurtful, and it was all because of a misunderstanding. I just thought it was too much.

Also, I couldn't make the mental leap from feuding couple - emotionally draining and physically painful (not in a fun kind of way) - to making love. Fucking. Whatever. I couldn't. I needed them to take time to repair the damage first. Especially because there was existing damage that wasn't repaired from punishment number one. I just needed a little bit more here.

Another thing that turned me off was the back and forth between the hero and heroine. The "I love you, I love you not," and the "Does s/he love me, does s/he love me not?" I just felt like so much unpleasantness could have been avoided for them if only they just admitted their feelings for each other. I'm not saying it should have been super easy. I'm saying that it seemed to be super hard, maybe too hard. And maybe some people enjoy the suspense and the back and forth and the anxiety. But it is not to my taste, so I just had to put the book down and walk away.

Maybe I'm reading this through the eyes of a 21st century woman with a different concept of fair punishment as opposed to the medieval mindset that was a bit more brutal. But I am a 21st century woman, and this book was written for a 21st century audience.

The writing itself was good. The sex scenes that I read were hot. The style just wasn't to my taste and there were too many issues that I couldn't reconcile. Maybe other readers would enjoy this book, but, sadly, I didn't. 

Purchase Link:

amazon

Review: Body Politics by Cara Bristol

Book: Body Politics

Rod and Cane Society #3

Author: Cara Bristol

Domestic Discipline, Erotic Romance
Review Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

I told you I'd be checking out more of Cara Bristol's books after reading Unexpected Consequences (click here to read my review). Another accolade. This whole series is amazing. 

Here's the blurb:

Feminist Stephanie Gordon knows the instant she meets blind date Mark DeLuca it’s not going to work. Sure the deputy chief of police is criminally sexy, but he’s arrogant, domineering and sexist. Thank goodness after the evening ends, she’ll never have to see him again.

A member of the Rod and Cane Society, an organization of men who spank, Mark DeLuca is attracted to Stephanie like a paddle to a well-rounded ass. He sees beneath the shield of feminist militancy to the soft, sensitive woman she tries to hide. When she storms away in a snit, the chase is on. Can a Dom convince a diehard feminist her true strength lies in submission?

Another beautiful, sexy romance from Cara Bristol.

There are so many things I want to say about this book that I don't know where to begin. The way that Cara Bristol writes is so real, the characters are so real, their emotions, struggles, their connection and sexual encounters... everything just comes to life. I empathized with Stephanie's dilemma in trying to reconcile her attraction to Mark with her preconceived notions of what she should be attracted to... Mark was everything she didn't want to like - masculine, dominant, arrogant, too sexy for his own good (or for her own good, more like). Yet her body couldn't help but respond to him. And when her body responded to him, Cara's gift of prose ensured that mine did too.

The story developed in a very organic way. Mark and Stephanie's relationship progressed quickly, but naturally. It felt right and the way that Cara treated the "feminist dilemma" was also done well. 

Combining feminism and domestic discipline is tricky. Someone is going to get offended. Especially because most people associate feminism with the very extreme bra-burning, all-women-must-work-outside-the-home and be treated with exact equality (no opening doors or paying for dinner or any other chivalrous behavior) movement of the 1970s. It's a common misconception that all feminists think this way. However, the reality is that there are so many different feminist schools of thought that it's almost impossible to keep track of them all (I know, I minored in Women's Studies in college). I've always defined feminism as the right to choose to do what makes you happy without being judged for it. If that means enjoying a domestic discipline relationship with the love of your life then ... why not? 

I think that Cara Bristol did a very good job of showing the "traditional" feminist outlook that Stephanie started out with in the beginning of the book (the PC version of feminism that we're familiar with) and then showing us the progression of thought... to what may be somewhat more "liberated" feminism. Reconciling sexual desires that are not PC within a world where PC is the norm. Showing that instead of having to bury these desires and living a half-life... settling for less than, a woman can enjoy herself... surrender, be spanked... and still retain her identity as a productive member of society, doing something meaningful, making a difference, etc. That one does not impede the other. They're not mutually exclusive. And, most importantly, nowhere does Cara Bristol imply that ALL women need or want to be in a domestic discipline relationship or need a man or that there's only one way to eat a Reese's... 

Some quotes that stood out for me: "After all, that was what feminism was all about: giving women choices." And: "I'm living my truth. For me, domestic discipline creates intimacy. For other women, it doesn't. Isn't feminism about having options?" YES! Yes, that's what it's about. Well said.

Overall, everything about the book was good, the writing, the world that Cara Bristol created within the Rod and Cane Society - it just gives such a community feel to everything else that goes on and is so well incorporated into the story, and characters - Mark and Stephanie and their connection. They were both good people who lived normal lives doing something that they believed in. At first, obviously, Stephanie wasn't sure how she was going to fit Mark into her life, but he didn't let her give up on him. Mark is a force to be reckoned with. He never does anything halfway and once he decided that he was going to be the man for Stephanie, he followed through and led her on a journey of sexual exploration, self discovery, and was there for her when other parts of her life didn't go her way. It was a great depiction of an overall healthy relationship with love and care... and spanking!

So far, every book I've read by Cara Bristol has been well written and sexy and interesting. As I said in my review of Unexpected Consequences, this may not be for everyone, because traditional gender roles may offend some people and domestic discipline is somewhat different from just being kinky and liking a bit of spice in the bedroom. It's actually used to adjust behavior and attitude. But for those who understand the dynamic, this is another beautiful story. Five stars.

Purchase Link:

amazon

Review: Were Trilogy by: Dixie Lynn Dwyer

Series: Were Trilogy 

Books: Were She Belongs

Were Love Found Her

Were Love Conquers All

Author: Dixie Lynn Dwyer

Paranormal Romance, Menage

Blurb:

 After being abducted, Lexi is unable to escape and about to be murdered. Growls…bodies flying…the next thing she knows, she’s staring into the eyes of some sexy wolf she met at the club.

Her old friend Sierra helped save her, along with three very sexy and intimidating Alpha males. Although they are triplets, Lexi soon finds out that they are just as powerful individually as they are together. But she’s never really belonged, and all she can give them is danger and pain.

Paul, Saber and Andre have found their mate, and they’re ready to claim her body and soul. The one problem…Lexi trusts no one. She’s lived on the streets, survived on her own, and she’s not about to be pampered. They know she’s in danger and that she’s safest with them.

It’s going to take some sneaky, dominant sexual tactics to convince Lexi she’s where she belongs.

Blurb:

The Sinclair, McFay and Crimson wolf packs are not out of danger.



In fact, it is quite the opposite. Lexi’s cousins, Jacob and Troy Crimson, are about to be murdered. As they join the party in their club, VALERIES, they are attacked. If not for the quick reflexes of one sexy blonde, Jacob would have been killed by the blade of silver.



Antoinette is stunned by her reaction to the two Alphas and finds herself in a heap of trouble, quadruple style. Not two, but four Alpha males claim her for their mate, and she’s not sure how to handle them.



There’s an evil force set on destroying all Alphas and ruling the world. He wants to obliterate the Circle of Elders and sets his sights on destroying the Crimson, McFay and Sinclair packs.



The battle has begun, and both Lexi and Antoinette must combine their powers, with the help of their Alpha mates, to destroy the evil force before their packs are annihilated.

Blurb:

Princess Charity Mossano of Milan is the Chosen One. She is forced to remain in hiding as a magical rogue wolf named Devlon continues to hunt her. He wants to mate her to gain her powers, destroy the circle of elders, and rule the world. She establishes Caliber, a security firm, to protect the last Royal were family, the Venificus triplets. Maximus, Luther, and Dante are individually powerful and dominant males. They get what they want and are superior in battle, in wealth, and in charm.



Fate leads Charity to the Royal Venificus estate. She realizes that the three handsome, powerful royal Alphas are her mates. While there, someone Devlon is working with attempts to kill Dante. She reveals herself and the battle of all times begins. With the help of her spirit sisters, Lexi and Antoinette, along with their Alpha mates, Charity must fight the evil villains and save the world.

This is going to be a 3-in-1 review, cause the whole trilogy is, essentially, the same book. And for the purposes of the review I'll treat it as one entity and post this same review under all three books. 

This trilogy had so much potential to be great! The concept is fun and sexy and has some adventure. However, the execution was a little painful (no pun intended). This was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me, because I liked the story and actually read all three books, which is why I gave it 2 stars. But I couldn't give it more than 2 stars, because the writing was awful.  

All three books have heroines who are sexually inexperienced, independent women who had to survive on their own. All the heroes are Alpha wolves... blah blah blah. I get that cliches work and people like them. I read the books, so I'm no exception. However, a little variation here would have been appreciated. Also, the sex scenes were so repetitive that I had to start skipping over them. A little bit of creativity could have gone a long way.

What drove me crazy with this author is that everyone "states" everything. When I imagine someone "stating" something, I think of an authoritative, matter of fact type of statement. Kind of deadpan, even. Dixie Lynn Dwyer, however, thinks that everyone can state anything in any context. 

"I love you," he stated.  ... deadpan ... 

In the heat of passion ... "Mine," he stated... umm in the heat of passion, I'd expect him to growl it. He's a wolf for god's sake!

And just so you don't think my snarkiness is unjustified, I had my e-reader count the number of times "state," "stated," or "statement" appeared in all three books - Were She Belongs, Were Love Found Her, and Were Love Conquers All - and the combined number is over 400 times. That's scary. 

Other quotes that make me sad:

"His eyes roamed over the cleavage of her chest..." as opposed to the cleavage of her ... ass? do we really need that distinction? I'd let it go, if it only happened once, but... 

"Charity awoke, finding all three brothers holding her stare." umm... does she have three sets of eyes? 

Also, Dixie Lynn Dwyer likes for her characters to "lock gazes." A lot. Folks were locking gazes left, right and sideways. In all three books there were a total 56 "locked gazes."

"She moaned and withered from the triple onslaught of sensations..." withered? that is not a word I'd associate with mind-blowing pleasure, more like slow horrifying death. 

These are just some examples from all three books, I can go on. But I'll stop. I think you get the point. 

I gave the trilogy two stars because I really wanted to like it. I actually finished it and the story itself had potential. But the writing was just ... not good. I tried out some books from Dixie Lynn Dwyer's other series and it's just more of the same.

Purchase Link:

amazon